Page 63 of Just My Ex

He nods. “And I talked to Milo this morning. He’ll be doing his internship in a couple of weeks, so he won’t be available until August.”

“We can, right Henry?” Quinn says as she looks at me, brows raised. “I mean, it makes sense since we’re here.”

It’s such a normal thing, planning a visit to the parents. It feels like we’re married again.

Except, Alec’s so upset with me that going with him seems about as enjoyable as getting hit by a water ski in the head. I know this because Alec did that to me once when I was teaching him how.

I think it’s time I embraced the water ski in the head, though. Anything I can do to make amends with Alec.

“Great,” Elianna says. “I’ll put you guys in the calendar. I’ll add Sophie, Oliver, Sebastian, and me for three weekends from now.”

Another thought comes and I sit back in my chair, folding my arms. “I’m not sure that’s going to work with the security concerns we have.”

The thought of trying to protect Quinn and Navie in Denver has locked up my mind. It’s hard enough to do it here in remote Longdale. But Denver? That’s a whole different animal.

I steal a glance at Quinn, who’s frowning. “I can go when things settle down, when probate ends,” I tell her.

“But I’d love to go see your parents, Henry. And Navie would, too.”

Alec’s not liking the idea, either. He glances at Oakley. “I think one couple at a time makes sense—to spread out the love. Let’s you and me go next weekend.”

“Do you really want to try to think of things to talk about with your parents all weekend without the help of a sibling?” Sophie laughs. “No offense to your parents, but it’s going to be better to do it this way. Mom wants to see us together. Besides, we can tackle the family photo project much more easily if we have help.”

“Yeah, in fact, that should be a requirement,” Sebastian says, pointing at Sophie. “Everyone needs to put at least one box of photos into an album while you’re there.”

The family photo project. Shoeboxes full of photos throughout the years, all mixed together. There’s no rhyme or reason to it. And now that Mom’s recovering but still anemic, she’s asked for help.

“Oooh. The elusive Tate family photographs. Can’t wait.” Quinn’s eyes sparkle. “I haven’t seen enough photos from y’all’s childhood, which is a crime.”

“Getting all the photos organized, digitized, and put into books would do a lot to ease Mom’s mind,” Oakley says.

Yes, I’m ready to spend some forced time with Alec. It’s necessary and it’s time. But managing Quinn and Navie’s safety there isn’t something I’m prepared for.

“I can see the wisdom in spreading out the visits, though,” I say.

Alec glares at me, as if to sayI’m the one who came up with that idea. You’re not allowed to agree with me.

“Isn’t your mom’s sister going to be visiting, too?” Elianna says. “I think she said she’d work around the schedule we decide.”

“Again, I don’t know how good of an idea it would be for Quinn and Navie to go. And I’m not going to leave them here.”

Quinn’s mouth forms a tight line. “Navie needs to see her grandparents. It’s been too long, and we’re going back to California in a couple of weeks. We can’t ask them to travel here, especially since your mom often gets motion sick now. We have to do this.”

She speaks it quietly but with such conviction I can’t say no. They’re my parents, and I care about what Quinn and Navie need.

The real issue? Beyond the security adjustments and trying to smooth things over with Alec, is that I’ll have to be around my father. The bad taste that puts in my mouth almost obliterates the pleasure of the excellent beef stew I just ate.

Except, the heat from Quinn’s arm near mine and the hopeful smile she gives me helps.

Is it wrong to look forward to this weekend simply because Quinn wants to go?

Chapter 25

Quinn

“How’d you sleep last night?” Henry asks me as I stumble out of the room an hour after Navie wakes up. She had a bee in her bonnet because she was anxious to see her daddy.

His voice is soft and gentle. He cares about my answer, his gaze taking in my joke of a hair style … I can just feel the bunny ear cowlicks cropping up along my head.

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